Wijnaldum eyes Feyenoord absolution

PSV midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is hoping Feyenoord fans will eventually come to accept his controversial recent transfer to the Rotterdam club's Eredivisie rivals.

Wijnaldum, 20, made the move to PSV last week, one year before his contract at De Kuip was due to expire, and the transfer has caused much consternation among Feyenoord fans.

But the Netherlands Under-21 starlet, who became Feyenoord's youngest ever player when he made his debut aged 16 and 148 days in 2007, has urged supporters to show some understanding.

"A lot has been said to me,'' Wijnaldum told AD Sportwereld. "I understand this transfer feels like a betrayal, really I do. For those people I am a child of Feyenoord.

"I've played in the first team since I was 16 and the club have always been good to me. And in bad times, I received everyone's support. I just hope that in time it will die down and I will soon be able to walk through my city (Rotterdam).

"And I have thought about Feyenoord with this transfer. The club earned five million euros for me and I did not want to leave them on a free transfer next summer. This way I can give something back to the club, who are like family to me.''